Gator Game Day

November 10th

 

On Saturday, Nathan, Gabriel, Dawn, and I went to the Gator game. Dawn got us tickets for Nathan's birthday. It was homecoming, so we thought it was going to be an easy game to win. It was close until the very end (like two seconds remaining), when the Gators took the lead by returning a blocked punt! We had a great time hanging out with some real Florida gators before, shopping around the staduim, and watching the game. It was a beautiful day!

 Natalie stayed with Grandma and Poppa, and it was very difficult being away all day. She had a fun day and missed us just as much as we missed her!

 

Gabriel hanging out at the Wildlife Sanctuary

Gabriel and Grammo

Me and Nathan

Posing with Albert and Alberta

Waiting for the game to begin!

Gators and Lowe's

 

 

 

Halloween 2012

October 31st

 

 

Halloween, although not a super big holiday, was very special for me this year. It was the second year in a row that we have ever had Gabriel, Natalie's first real year of going trick-or-treating, and Nathan was able to miss school and join us unlike last year. This was probably Nathan's only chance to see both of them trick-or-treating since Gabriel will most likely be too old next year. Grammo, Nathan's mom, also tagged along for the fun.

 

 Since Natalie didn't know what to expect, she was a little timid at first. It didn't take her long to realize that people were giving her candy after she waited at their front doors. Once she caught on she loved it for the most part. She started off the night saying please since she can't say trick-or-treat, but by the end of the evening she was saying thank you every time. There were a few times where she got scared, but we were right by her and made sure she felt safe. The funny thing is she wasn't getting scared at the scary stuff, she was getting scared of the people handing out candy because she didn't know them.

Gabriel was an inflatable football, and Natalie was Elmo, also known as "Melmo". Up until the day before Halloween, Natalie was going to be a cat. When we went into the Halloween store on Tuesday, Natalie ran over to the Melmo costume and wouldn't stop talking about it. That is how we ended up with the most adorable Melmo!




The Lovins' getting ready to go trick-or-treating.

In her "Melmo" costume.

Finally getting the hang of things.

Feeling safe with Daddy by her side.

 

Enjoying the Halloween decorations while out and about.

The fam.



A Very Big, Very Late Announcement

October 29th

 

 

 I guess I should start by saying Natalie is going to be a not-so-big sister in March! I figure most people who read my blog already know this news, but just in case here's the big announcement! So no, I am not just getting a little chubby in the middle I'm due March 19, 2013. On Monday, we had our big gender ultrasound. It was pretty cool because Gabriel went with us. We were able to see Baby Kendall move around, rub its face, stretch its arms, and see and hear its heartbeat.

 

We decided long before getting pregnant that with baby number two, we would have a gender reveal party to find out the sex. Gender reveal parties are becoming very popular, but we thought it would be very unique if we didn't find out and let my sister make the gender reveal cake. That way Nathan and I could find out with all of the people we care about most. Our ultrasound tech gladly went along with it, told us when to turn away, wrote down the gender, and put it in my pre-addressed envelope. She told us when to turn away, but Baby Kendall was a stinker for a while. The tech had to push around on my belly for a couple of minutes until she got Baby Kendall to show the goods. His or her legs were crossed at the ankles making it difficult to see.

 

The best part about the appointment was to hear that Baby Kendall is healthy and on track. Here are a couple of not so great phone pictures from the ultrasound.

 

 

This is the head (skull) and to the top left of the head a little hand with the tiny fingers.

Profile shot of Baby Kendall

Baby Kendall with an arm going over the head and rubbing the face.



The Pumpkin Patch

October 27th

 

 

Nathan and I took Natalie to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. As soon as we got close Natalie was so excited. It was like she understood that we were doing something special and different. She of course wanted to walk, which really meant run, and she had a blast doing it. She loved to run around and try to pick up all of the pumpkins. She would occasionally stop for a picture and say cheese. After we picked out the big pumpkin, Natalie chose two small pumpkins- one for herself and one for Gabriel.

Her first attempt at picking up a pumpkin.

I think she knows how adorable she is!

Say 'Cheese'!

Being a doll baby.

She decided if she couldn't pick them up, she would ride on top!

Natalie with her Dada

Natalie with her Mama

We had a great time taking Natalie. I think it got us excited for all of the upcoming holidays and events we have!

18 Months!

October 21st

 

 

Natalie is 18 months old! That is a whole year and a half! I guess in another half a year, I will have to stop using months and only give her age in years! Hard to believe how fast time is flying. Natalie is such a fun loving little girl full of her own personality. She is talking so much and repeating everything! She continues to work on combining two or more words and phrases and is great at copying whole sentences word by word. 

Natalie loves to play outside still. Her favorite thing is to wait on the junior high buses. We have two buses that come around the same time each school day. Natalie loves to go out front and wait for the buses.  The second bus driver is so sweet and always waves to Natalie. Natalie gets so excited and starts jumping up and down, waving, and saying "hi". She is a little confused though with the song Row, Row, Row Your Boat. When she sees a bus, she sings "Row, Row, Row". For a while we thought Natalie heard bus instead of boat, until we discovered the sing along book at Poppa's house. The book has a bus on the cover and plays several songs- including Row, Row, Row Your Boat (as well as The Wheels on the Bus). I guess while learning the song she got a bus stuck in her head. Now buses remind her of the song!

Natalie loves to blow bubbles. She always asks to go outside and "blow". She has gotten pretty good at it and can blow bubbles with very little help. Natalie loves to color so we bought her special Color Wonder markers that only write on special paper. They fooled her at first, but I think she realizes they aren't the real deal. One of her favorite activities is to explore and learn new naughty tricks. She is such a little dare devil and tries everything. Even if she gets hurt, she is right back at it almost immediately! She knows Daddy is her main man in the trick department so they are always getting into mischief.

Showing off her new trick!

 Being a cutie and eating her fruit.

Showing a little bit of personality here!

Bubbles!

Natalie full of funny faces. This is surprised Natalie- her favorite face right now.  

Playing at the mall play area.

Taking a nap with Daddy in the big bed.

Natalie's favorite treat right now is M&Ms. We learned the art of bribery in record time, and Natalie is so great at it. We tell Natalie she can't have any M&Ms until she finishes her dinner. It is not something we have to do every night, but only when she doesn't love what she's eating (which is quite often). Since we are bribing Natalie with candy, Nathan and I decided to make it an educational experience. We are teaching Natalie her colors using the M&Ms. When we ask her what color, she always tries to repeat the word color first by saying 'ca'. After that her go to color is blue because it's the one she knows the best. We always clap and cheer when she gets one right, and she celebrates too. Sometimes she gets more excited about the celebration then the actual candy!

These two videos are hilarious. Natalie starts off doing well in the first video and then Nathan tries to mouth and whisper the color answers to her. She doesn't get the concept and instead is making ridiculous faces and expressions. We were laughing so hard we were crying, and I couldn't keep the camera still!

A sitting position is next to impossible these days!

In the middle of saying 'cheese'!

 

Blue Angels Show

October 21st

On Saturday we went to the air show. We try to go annually, but it is always a hassle with the parking and crowds. This year the show was at the beach, and there was a little more room. The show is usually right around Nathan's birthday, so we considered this part of his birthday celebration for the weekend. Gabriel loves the Blue Angels, and Natalie is obsessed with "agas"- airplanes. As soon as we got close enough, she started having a cow in the car at all the airplanes flying over. For the most part Natalie loved it! She wasn't thrilled about a very loud jet that performed, and she wouldn't keep ear muffs on. Gabriel on the other hand walked around most of the afternoon with huge ear muffs and freebie sunglasses- quite the sight! He looked like an air show professional. By the time the Blue Angels performed, Natalie was very relaxed and sat in her stroller for some of the show. It wasn't too terribly loud so she didn't get upset or scared. We had a great time, and Natalie definitely enjoyed her first air show!

A little blurry but too cute not to post!

Wanting to get down and walk around while waiting.

Our relaxed girl watching the Angels perform.

Two of Natalie's favorites- airplanes and the moon!